At the beginning of chapter III, titled “The
Cholesterol Also Rises”, Dr. Moalem considers AP Biology Big Idea 2, which
states that “Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building
blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis” on pages
50-52. He explains that exposure to natural sunlight helps the body create
vitamin D and destroys the body’s reserves of folic acid. Accumulating vitamin
D through sun exposure is very important because vitamin D deficiencies have
been shown to play a role in the development of many diseases – including
breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and psoriasis. However, sun exposure
also destroys an integral part of our cell growth system: folate. When humans
are growing fast, for example during pregnancy, a lack of folate can have
serious detrimental effects on babies (e.g. spina bifida). And in addition, a
lack of folate is directly linked to anemia.
Why is vitamin D important in preventing breast
cancer, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and psoriasis? Pick one of these diseases,
and specifically explain what role the presence of vitamin D has in preventing
that disease. Then, examine both the positive and negative effects of having
folic acid present in the body during times of substantial growth. When
describing the positive effects of having folic acid present in the body,
explain specifically how the presence of folate in the body prevents anemia. If
the sun destroys the folic acid in our bodies, how is folic acid created? Lastly,
consider other ways that humans can obtain vitamin D without sun exposure,
considering that while sunlight gives a source of vitamin D, it simultaneously destroys
folic acid. Is there any way we can simultaneously obtain vitamin D while
creating reserves of folic acid? If not, address how we can do one or the
other.
(Tina Moazezi; tmoazez4@students.d125.org)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason as to why vitamin D is important and critical to every human is because of our biochemistry. vitamin D is can help prevent diseases such as breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, arthritis, and psoriasis. In reference to AP Biology Big Idea 2, that “Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis,” the idea of vitamin D fits in perfectly. See, vitamin D allows for the growth or the maintenance of healthy bones in both children and adults. Not only that, but it ensures that our blood has the necessary amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Additionally, vitamin D also proves to be vital in the functioning of the “heart, the nervous system, the clotting process, and the immune system” (50). What occurs is that vitamin D is converted from cholesterol, which allows the “brain to send messages and the immune system to protect us against cancer and other diseases” (51). Vitamin D prevents diseases, and instead is extremely vital for functions to be carried through in the body. Our body takes in the vitamin D in order for us to survive and maintain the “dynamic homeostasis” from AP Biology Big Idea 2.
ReplyDeleteNew research from the Harvard School of Public Health shows that Vitamin D has many promising benefits. In a recent study where they analyzed 40,000 elderly people, vitamin D had reduced hip and non-spine fractures by 20%. In addition, vitamin D allows for muscle strength since a study was done and it showed that falls (a problem dealing with older people causing disabilities and/or death) were reduced by 19%. However, if large doses of vitamin D are taken in, it provides no benefit. Instead, with older people, larger doses of vitamin D had the same percentages as if they had no vitamin D as well. Research has also been done to see if Vitamin D can prevent heart disease. There is evidence that vitamin D plays a part in controlling blood pressure (which therefore prevents artery damage). However, it hasn’t been completely proved through research that vitamin D can prevent heart disease.
Now let’s examine a disease.Take for example Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s disease is when the small intestine in the body has significant inflammation. Inflammation (Campbell Unit 11) occurs when Mast Cells are destroyed or injured by a pathogen. These cells then release histamine which allows the capillaries to open up and become more permeable. Therefore, platelets and blood clotting agents will be able to go to the wounded site and “inflame” the area. This allows for the injury to recover. Due to this inflammation, vitamin D is unable to be absorbed (along with several other nutrients). Therefore, people with Crohn’s disease have a vitamin D deficiency. The presence of vitamin D can help prevent Crohn’s disease since the body will still be able to take in vitamin D, and Crohn’s disease can slowly be reduced. For example, people with this disease go to a tanning bed as treatment so that they can regularly receive vitamin D.
Now, there are both positive and negative effects of having folic acid present in the body during times of substantial growth. The main positive effect of having folic acid is that it prevent anemia. Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Folic acid is necessary for red blood cells to grow and form. If there is a lack of folic acid, the red blood cells are abnormal and too large. Therefore, having more folic acid prevents anemia. In addition, it has been proven that folic acid can reduce the number of birth defects, and can now effectively prevent them. In addition, research has shown that folic acid can also prevent colon cancer. The main disadvantage with folic acid is that it can be easily destroyed by the sun-specifically vitamin D. So it creates more problems when one vital aspect of our health is replaced with another.
While folic acid is destroyed by the sun, it cannot also be created. We, as humans, absorb folic acid from the food that we eat. Folic acid is abundant in dark leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and some others. So while the sun may destroy folic acid, we can replenish it by eating more of these foods.
ReplyDeleteIn order to keep both our Vitamin D and folic acid levels up, there is something we can do. See, vitamin D can be put into reserve in the body. This usually occurs for when the darker months come into play. Since folic acid is destroyed by the main “exporter” of vitamin D, there is something we all can do. We can spend time in the sun to obtain vitamin D. However, to keep the folic acid levels up, one must eat foods abundant in folic acid, which include fruits, vegetables, and grains. Therefore, the vitamin D will be kept in reserve, and the folic acid levels will not drop.
Noella James
noellajames@gmail.com
Sources:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/vitamin-supplements/folic-acid-benefits.htm
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/folic-acid
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/#new-vitamin-d-research